in the closet. It comprehends a very full survey of the far-famed
island which the hero of the Odyssey has immortalized; for we really
are inclined to think that the author has established the identity of
the modern _Theaki_ with the _Ithaca_ of Homer. At all events, if it
be an illusion, it is a very agreeable deception, and is effected by
an ingenious interpretation of the passages in Homer that are
supposed to be descriptive of the scenes which our traveller has
visited. We shall extract some of these adaptations of the ancient
picture to the modern scene, marking the points of resemblance which
appear to be strained and forced, as well as those which are more
easy and natural: but we must first insert some preliminary matter
from the opening chapter.

The following passage conveys a sort of general sketch of the book,
which may give our readers a tolerably adequate notion of its
contents:--

"The present work may adduce, by a simple and correct survey
of the island, coincidences in its geography, in its natural
productions, and moral state, before unnoticed. Some will be
directly pointed out; the fancy or ingenuity of the reader may
be employed in tracing others; the mind familiar with the
imagery of the Odyssey will recognise with satisfaction the
scenes themselves; and this volume is offered to the public,
not entirely without hopes of vindicating the poem of Homer
from the scepticism of those critics who imagine that the
Odyssey is a mere poetical composition, unsupported by
history, and unconnected with the localities of any particular
situation.